North Thailand / Chiang Saen

Chiang Saen is a town in Chiang Rai Province, some 75km (47mi) northeast of Chiang Rai, on the bank of the Mekong River, right at the Laotian and close to the Burmese border - on the Thai side it is the community closest to the Golden Triangle in the narrowest sense of the designation. Its lovely setting on the Mekong enhances the charm of its old temples, Wat Pa Sak and Wat Phrathat Chom Kitti, as well as the Chiang Saen Museum.

Authors note:

Tourism for idiots

I can understand some forms of tourism: for example, if people from cold countries want to go to a beach place in a warm country for two weeks. I can also understand those who go to a fun place to party. I can even understand parents who bring their children to Disneyland (though I personally regard this as a waste of money).

But the tourism you have in Northern Thailand and in Laos is for idiots.

Remote hill tribes! Wow. The Golden Triangle, the world's traditional opium-growing region. And you were there! Elephant trekking through the jungle. Real adventure!

The fact is that all of this is so totally commercialized, that it is no different from a theme park. Only less convenient.

But at least a theme park is honest in that it admits that it's all just show. On the other hand, North Thailand and Laos tourism promotion pretends that all of this is authentic. But it's a lie. It's all only about making stupid tourists spend money. Preferably a lot. For nothing of genuine value.